Special Public Accounts Committee (PAC) while rejecting the point of view of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) on Thursday observed that all organisations using public money were subject to audit of their accounts.
Chairman of the special PAC Zahid Hamid during a meeting of the committee said that following the passage of the 18th Amendment none of the organisations using public money and getting money from government kitty was absolved of audit of accounts.
The meeting audit reports for the years 1992-1993 and 2001-2002 relating to the ministries of defence and defence production. The committee also sought a report into accounts of the FWO within 15 days after the auditors told the PAC members that the organisation received Rs10 billion from the defence budget for projects but there is no record of accounts.
The FWO, which has been involved in many mega road projects around the country, had taken the stand that they have their auditing system and annual audit is conducted regularly and do not come within the ambit of federal auditors.
Additional Secretary Defence Air Marshal Najamul Asar said the FWO had not eaten up Rs10 billion rather it was a matter of accounts saying that many government organisations owe Rs20 billion to them which were spent on construction projects.
The Public Accounts Committee also looked into matter of use of Maritime Museum in Karachi for wedding ceremonies since 1997 on commercial basis as auditors also estimated earnings of Rs165.3 million.
The officials of the Defence Ministry apprised the committee members that the museum was established in 1981 and it was an asset and open to the visitors. However, the chairman of the committee said it was necessary to hold an audit of accounts.
On an occasion, an official of the ministry raised an objection that unnecessary points were being raised with regard to financial matters whereas no irregularities had taken place.The officials of the ministry said that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had recovered Rs7.8 million out of Rs25.6 million from government and private organizations for using land of different airports.
To another objection, an official of the Ministry of Defence said that electricity tariff for residents of Budh Pir Army Housing Scheme has been increased to one rupee from 10 paisas per unit. Committee’s chairman Zahid Hamid said the rate is still low and it should be enhanced. In this connection, he sought a report within 15 days.
Source: The News
Chairman of the special PAC Zahid Hamid during a meeting of the committee said that following the passage of the 18th Amendment none of the organisations using public money and getting money from government kitty was absolved of audit of accounts.
The meeting audit reports for the years 1992-1993 and 2001-2002 relating to the ministries of defence and defence production. The committee also sought a report into accounts of the FWO within 15 days after the auditors told the PAC members that the organisation received Rs10 billion from the defence budget for projects but there is no record of accounts.
The FWO, which has been involved in many mega road projects around the country, had taken the stand that they have their auditing system and annual audit is conducted regularly and do not come within the ambit of federal auditors.
Additional Secretary Defence Air Marshal Najamul Asar said the FWO had not eaten up Rs10 billion rather it was a matter of accounts saying that many government organisations owe Rs20 billion to them which were spent on construction projects.
The Public Accounts Committee also looked into matter of use of Maritime Museum in Karachi for wedding ceremonies since 1997 on commercial basis as auditors also estimated earnings of Rs165.3 million.
The officials of the Defence Ministry apprised the committee members that the museum was established in 1981 and it was an asset and open to the visitors. However, the chairman of the committee said it was necessary to hold an audit of accounts.
On an occasion, an official of the ministry raised an objection that unnecessary points were being raised with regard to financial matters whereas no irregularities had taken place.The officials of the ministry said that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had recovered Rs7.8 million out of Rs25.6 million from government and private organizations for using land of different airports.
To another objection, an official of the Ministry of Defence said that electricity tariff for residents of Budh Pir Army Housing Scheme has been increased to one rupee from 10 paisas per unit. Committee’s chairman Zahid Hamid said the rate is still low and it should be enhanced. In this connection, he sought a report within 15 days.
Source: The News
